For a first time in more than seven long years Michael Campbell is confidenlty talking aor gain of winning.
The former US Open continued the resurgence in his game adding a second straight 68 to be very well in contention in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
Michael Campbell now so comfortable with his game he’s talking of victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Campbell grabbed four birdies on day two of the event to move to eight under par and trailing just one stroke behind the leading four of Portugal’s Ricardo Santos (70), Australia’s Marcus Fraser (67) and the Ryder Cup heavyweight duo of Martin Kaymer (67) and Sergio Garcia (66).
Campbell picked up his four birdies in his opening eight holes before ending with 11 straight uhis for his 136 total.
“I played some wonderful golf the first eight holes and it was a very easy four under but then my putter went cold on me,” he said.
“I continued to hit some great shots over the back nine but the putts wouldn’t drop, so that’s golf really.
“But it still gives me a chance and the opportunity over the weekend to try and win this golf tournament though there’s no guarantees in this game.”
Campbell has now posted 17 sub-70s scores in his last 30 European Tour rounds dating back to a pair of 67s over the weekend in last September’s Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
And if you wanted more evidence of the turnaround in Campbell’s game then in eight prior Qatar Masters starts the New Zealander had not broken 70 in 18 rounds of the Doha Golf Club course.
In fact, Campbell had missed the cut in his last three Qatar showings and with his best finish being a share of 27th in 2007.
And for those followers of Campbell you will know his last victory was in capturing the 2005 World Match-Play Championship at Wentworth in England.
His last stroke-play success was Campbell’s stunning triumph over Tiger Woods earlier that year to win the US Open at Pinehurst.
